Morgan James

Morgan James (born November 24, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress.[1] She has appeared in numerous Broadway shows, including Motown: The Musical, Godspell, and The Addams Family.[2]

For the English footballer, see Morgan James (footballer). For the publisher, see Morgan James Publishing.
Morgan James
James in 2014
Born
Morgan Grunerud

(1981-11-24) November 24, 1981
Boise, Idaho, U.S.
OccupationSinger, Actress
Years active2010–present
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 2016)​
Musical career
GenresSoul, R&B, jazz, musical theater
LabelsEpic, Certified Morganic, Hedonist Records
Associated actsScott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox
Websitewww.morganjamesonline.com

Her first studio album, Hunter, was released by Epic Records in November 2014.[3][4][5] On March 31, 2017, James began her multi-city "Reckless Abandon Tour" in support of her second studio album, Reckless Abandon, released on April 7, 2017.

James is also well known for her numerous musical collaborations with the Jazz collective Postmodern Jukebox.

Early life and education

James was born Morgan Grunerud[6] in Boise, Idaho,[7] the daughter of educators and actors Allen Grunerud and Shellie Harwood.[6] The family moved frequently when James was a child, going from Pocatello, Idaho to Utah, Tennessee, and eventually Modesto, California where she spent her high school years.[8] She has a younger brother, Nicholas, who is an avant-garde musician and comedian.[8] James was inspired by her actor parents to enter the performing arts, and she joined a choir while in middle school. Her grandmother also bought her a karaoke machine and agreed to pay for singing lessons until James went to college.[7]

James attended high school at Peter Johansen High School in Modesto[8] and graduated in 1999. At the age of 14, James realized it was her dream to attend The Juilliard School in New York City, and after auditioning, she was eventually wait-listed and then rejected. However, after significant correspondence with the head of admissions, she convinced him to accept her as the class's seventh singer, one above the usual six.[8] There, she studied opera,[9] and eventually earned her Bachelor of Music in Voice in 2003.[10] In college, James also took a master class headed by Broadway veteran Barbara Cook.[7]

Career

After college, James initially struggled to find work and looked for jobs that utilized both her operatic and classical training.[7] James did not make her Broadway debut until 2010 in the musical production of The Addams Family, starring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth.[6] In 2011, James appeared in Frank Wildhorn's Wonderland[11] and the Broadway revival of Godspell. James sprained her ankle in a rehearsal for Godspell in October 2011 and was unable to perform during previews.[12] She recuperated and, by November 2011, was performing in the musical at the Circle in the Square Theatre.[13] In 2013, James took on the role of Teena Marie in Motown: The Musical. She stayed with the cast until December 2013, when she left to pursue a vocal performance tour.[1][9]

While on Broadway she moonlighted as a solo artist, with a backing band often composed of Chris Fenwick, Matt Fieldes, Damien Bassman, among others.[11][14] She has played at numerous New York City clubs, including (Le) Poisson Rouge,[14] 54 Below,[1] Rockwood Music Hall,[12] and Birdland.[11] Her first solo album, Morgan James Live: A Celebration of Nina Simone, was recorded at New York jazz club, Dizzy's, and is a collection of Nina Simone cover songs. It was released via Epic Records in December 2012.[15]

Her second solo album (and first studio album), Hunter, was recorded in 2014 and released via Epic Records in June 2014. The 11-track album was produced by Doug Wamble and is James' first album of all solo material.[4][5] The album included her cover of Prince's song "Call My Name", which Prince allowed her to put on the record.[8]

On December 16, 2016, James released her second cover album, Blue, released on the 45th anniversary of Joni Mitchell's album of the same name.[16]

Reckless Abandon, her second solo studio album, was independently released on April 7, 2017 via her self-created Hedonist Records. It is her first album to feature completely original material and heavily incorporates elements of soul and R&B. On March 31, 2017, she embarked on a national headlining spring "Reckless Abandon Tour" in support of the album.[8]

Since 2014, James collaborates with Postmodern Jukebox, producing several cover songs on their YouTube channel[17] and joining them on tour.[18]

In 2018, Morgan James released The White Album, her own interpretation of The Beatles' album, on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.[19]

In 2020, James, alongside Broadway legends Cynthia Erivo, Orfeh, Shoshana Bean and Ledisi, was featured on the all-female EP, She is Risen, which covers songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar.

Personal life

James currently lives in Harlem with her husband, guitarist and producer Doug Wamble, whom she wed in spring of 2016.[8][16]

Discography

Studio albums
Title Album details
Hunter
  • Released: November 4, 2014 (US)[5]
  • Label: Epic
Reckless Abandon
  • Released: April 7, 2017 (US)[8]
  • Label: Hedonist Records
Memphis Magnetic
  • Released: February 7, 2020[20]
  • Label: Hedonist Records

Cover albums
Title Album details
Morgan James Live: A Celebration of Nina Simone
  • Released: December 4, 2012 (US)[15]
  • Label: Epic
Blue
  • Released: December 16, 2016 (US)[16]
  • Label: Certified Morganic
The White Album
  • Released: October 26, 2018 (US)[19]
  • Label: Hedonist Records

Singles
Year Single Album
2014 "I Want You" Hunter
"Call My Name"[21]
2019 "I Don't Mind Waking Up (To a Love This Good)" Memphis Magnetic
2020 "Give You Up"

References
  1. Holden, Stephen (9 June 2013). "Emoting And Belting, From Holiday To Prince". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  2. Gioia, Michael (4 September 2013). "PLAYBILL PLAYLIST: Motown Actress and Soul Singer Morgan James Shares Her Musical Inspirations". Playbill. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  3. Cerasaro, Pat (30 August 2014). "New Morgan James Single, 'Call My Name', Now Available". Broadway World. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  4. Victor, Greg (8 June 2014). "The Summer of 2014′s First 'Must-Have' Album: Morgan James' "Hunter'". Parcbench. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  5. Collar, Matt (3 June 2014). "Review by Matt Collar". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  6. Millegan Renner, Lisa (10 May 2010). "Johansen High grad enjoying kooky, spooky role in Broadway show". The Modesto Bee. Archived from the original on 14 June 2010. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  7. Gans, Andrew (10 February 2012). "DIVA TALK: Chatting With Godspell Star Morgan James". Playbill. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  8. Bialas, Michael (4 April 2017). "First Listen: With Reckless Abandon, Morgan James Bares Her Soul Power". The Huffington Post. The Huffington Post. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  9. Rowland, Marijke (3 April 2014). "Modesto's Morgan James 'on fire,' joins cabaret". The Modesto Bee. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  10. Hodges, Bruce (May 2013). "James and Dinnerstein Release New Song CDs". The Juilliard Journal. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  11. "WONDERLAND's Morgan James Plays Concert at Birdland 5/9". Broadway World. 9 May 2011. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  12. Gans, Andrew (14 October 2011). "Morgan James Temporarily Sidelined from Godspell; Free Concert Set for Oct. 17". Playbill. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  13. Blank, Matt (13 December 2011). "PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Three-Show Day With Godspell's Morgan James". Playbill. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  14. Gans, Andrew (21 October 2010). "Addams Family's James to Offer Solo Concert In November". Playbill. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  15. Collar, Matt (4 December 2012). "Review by Matt Collar". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  16. Cakes, B. (9 January 2017). "Morgan James Pays Homage To Joni Mitchell's 'Blue' & Preps For Upcoming 'Reckless Abandon Tour'". SoulBounce. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  17. "Postmodern Jukebox's Youtube channel". Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  18. "New videos and updates". morganjamesonline.com. Archived from the original on 24 February 2015. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  19. "Morgan James Goes Cover-to-Cover On The WHITE ALBUM". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  20. "Memphis Magnetic by Morgan James". Apple Music. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  21. "Call My Name - Single". iTunes. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
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